Playing sports on Sundays, and hunting, is now legal in PA – Rest & Sabbath, Part 1

The headline reads, “Bill that would end Sunday ban on football and baseball passes Pa. House.” Take a guess at what year that headline was published.  Believe it or not, 2022. The article goes on to report, “The state House passed a bill Monday [September 19, 2022] that would repeal a…law that makes it illegalContinue reading “Playing sports on Sundays, and hunting, is now legal in PA – Rest & Sabbath, Part 1”

Off the field practices to help you experience flourishing – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 5

I played soccer in college. Admittedly, it was not high quality college soccer. In fact, with the exception of my very good freshman year college team, I have a feeling my high school team could have beaten my college team every other year. Still, just about all of the players on that college team, allContinue reading “Off the field practices to help you experience flourishing – 1 Thessalonians 5:23–28, Part 5”

The Brotherly Shove and the Bible – 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; 5:11, 14, 27

Did you hear that at least one NFL team wants the NFL to ban The Brotherly Shove?  The potential of that ban is big news for all you Philadelphia Eagles fans. Given that I live in Philadelphia Eagles territory, I suspect that the Eagles are the most popular NFL team in my church family. It sureContinue reading “The Brotherly Shove and the Bible – 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10; 5:11, 14, 27”

The fine line between confidence and overconfidence (and what that has to do with Michael Jordan and mountain lions) – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 4

I was a teen in the early 1990s when Michael Jordan was leading the Chicago Bulls to their first of two three-peats as NBA champions. I watched Michael Jordan avidly, and on my home’s driveway where we had a hoop, I tried to mimic his moves. I played for my small private Christian school’s middleContinue reading “The fine line between confidence and overconfidence (and what that has to do with Michael Jordan and mountain lions) – 2 Samuel 23:8–39, Part 4”

Do You Worship These American Idols? – Ezekiel 4 & 5, Part 5

What do you think are some American idols?  Sex and money are probably the first that come to mind, and for good reason.  Next in line and perhaps more tempting for some people are two potential idols related to money, and that is materialism and consumerism.  Love of money, Paul writes, is the root ofContinue reading “Do You Worship These American Idols? – Ezekiel 4 & 5, Part 5”

How many rules do Christians need to follow? – Colossians 2:16-23, Part 1

How many rules do Christians need to follow?  I’ve heard the critique that Christianity is a religion with lots of rules.  “You can’t do this, and you can’t do that, and Christianity is so antiquated with all its super-restrictive rules!”  When Michelle and I were students in Bible college, the student handbook certainly had aContinue reading “How many rules do Christians need to follow? – Colossians 2:16-23, Part 1”

The only way to truly fulfill your longings – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 5

Have you ever thoughts that you be so happy if you hit the lottery? I have. I have dreamed of how I would spend the money. It sounds so freeing. I would be free from debt. My kids would have no college debt. I get excited just typing it. Many of us can feel thatContinue reading “The only way to truly fulfill your longings – First Sunday of Advent 2019, Part 5”